Surname McKellar - Meaning and Origin

McKellar: What does the surname McKellar mean?

The surname McKellar is of Scottish origin, and it is derived from a Gaelic term "Mac Ealair" which means "son of Hilarius". Hilarius is a Latin personal name which means "cheerful" or "happy". Surnames in the highlands were derived from a number of sources, including the name of the original bearer's father, a nickname, or a notable attribute. Thus, the surname McKellar denotes the cheerful or happy nature of its original bearer's father. This name is most commonly found among families with roots in Argyllshire, where the McKellars were originally established as a branch of the powerful Clan MacDonald. Like many Scottish last names, McKellar may have various spellings including M'Keller, Keller, and MacKellar, among others.

McKellar: Where does the name McKellar come from?

The surname McKellar has Scottish origins and is predominantly common within Scotland. It is derived from the Gaelic name “MacEalair” which means "son of Hilary." The original bearer was likely a descendant or follower of a person named Hilary. This surname first surfaced in Kintyre, where the McKellar family had a familial seat from ancient times.

The historical turmoil and cultural fusion in Scotland led to many spelling variations of Scottish surnames like McKellar, including MacKellar, MacKeller, MacKellor, and others. During the 17th century, numerous Scots emigrated to North America, Australia, and other parts of the British Empire due to social and economic conditions. Thus, sizable populations with this surname can be found in these areas today, specifically in Canada and the United States, while it remains largely prevalent in Scotland. Although McKellar is not among the most common surnames, it has a prominent presence in the world, especially amongst those of Scottish descent.

Variations of the surname McKellar

The surname McKellar is of Scottish origin and is derived from the Gaelic name, MacKellar. This surname is a patronymic form of the personal name Kellar, which itself originates from a reduced form of the Gaelic Mac Ealair, meaning 'son of Ealair'.

Apart from the most common spelling of McKellar, this surname can also appear as MacKellar, McKeller, MacKeller, Keller, Kellar, Kellar, Mackeler and Mackeller. Each of these different spellings is influenced by generations of the family's immigration, translation and phonetic variation of the original Gaelic.

The many spelling variations are a testament to how surnames were typically recorded as they sounded by the local priests, officials, and scribes of the time, leading to a wide array of possible spellings for the same surname.

So, while these names may look and even sound different, they share the same root Gaelic name and are all variants of the surname McKellar. However, it’s important to verify relationships and lineage through additional genealogical research, as sharing a surname doesn’t always mean that individuals are related.

Famous people with the name McKellar

• Danica McKellar: Actress, mathematics education advocate and New York Times bestselling author.
• Keshia Knight Pulliam: Actress, best known for her role as Rudy Huxtable on the NBC sitcom The Cosby Show, daughter of actress and comedianess Lisa McKellar.
• Rob McKellar: Canadian film and television actor, producer and director.
• Michael McKellar: Musician and songwriter best known as the lead vocalist, bassist and co-founder of the successful Canadian rock band, Pulse Ullevi.
• Steven McKellar: Actor, best known for his roles in the television series Aliens in America and Supernatural.
• Donna McKellar: Canadian actress, best known for her roles in the television series Little Mosque on the Prairie and Flashpoint.
• Ken McKellar: Scottish politician and Member of Parliament.
• Angus McKellar: American professional golfer.
• Ruth McKellar: Canadian film, television and radio actress.
• Kelly McKellar: Canadian figure skater.

Other surnames

McKellMcKeller